Two young flocks have now been put together, which we are very pleased with. In addition, an old strain (1 cock with 6 hens) was kept, which has already given us a very nice offspring in 2023.

We have two beautiful breeding strains that lay beautiful large and dark eggs. Nevertheless, from time to time there are hens that are a little too sporty and do not reach the minimum hatching weight. These were sorted out for further breeding

The status of Marans breeding remains the same, we have continued with the existing breeding lines.

Both our own offspring and the purchase of new hatching eggs were completely convincing! It goes on!

Unfortunately, it didn’t work out so well in 2018, so we are starting this year with only two breeding lines and hardly any offspring from the previous year, as up to 80% of the chicks were cocks. This year we want to make more progress! The first chicks have already hatched, both from our own birds and from a German breeder. In February, I will be receiving hatching eggs from another breeder and of course I will also be hatching some myself.

We have now also put together 3 flocks of Marans, this year we would like to breed more Marans and further improve the quality. The pullets are already laying, the eggs are still a little small but very dark.

As the Marans did not breed in 2016, we will continue to work on this this year. Unfortunately, the first brood of this mating consisted of 7 cocks and only one hen. We were impressed by the size, but the gender distribution is not good. Another 22 chicks hatched in April and we are hoping for more hens.
The other strains are doing very well and foreign blood has also been provided! We received hatching eggs from Germany, the eggs were very dark, here are two photos of them:

A new cock has been obtained from the Danube show in Tulln. He certainly doesn’t pass on a good egg color, but we are hoping for larger offspring and a better shape. The French line lays excellent dark eggs, but they are too small and too light for me. We also ordered new hatching eggs from the Marans Club Germany. We already bought hatching eggs from the same breeder in 2013, a photo can be found under “2013”.

This year, two flocks consisting of 20 animals have moved into the new barn. A further 25 are in other barns.

Small preview for the new year. 4 trunks in the following size:

1.6: Cockerel from own breeding with French hens. 1.11: Successful breeding strain from 2013 remains for breeding for another year. Until further notice, hatching eggs and chicks will only be supplied from this strain, as we do not know the fertilization rate or the final result of the other strains. 1.8: French rooster with hens from 1A-Ei.de 1.6: French rooster with French hens. Some roosters and hens are in their own coop, as some of them are still too young or are intended as replacements or for exchange.

There are now 22 hens and 6 cockerels. This year we ordered again from 1A-Ei.de, as the hens are convincing in terms of shape and weight and absolutely have to find a place in my breeding program! We were also able to obtain hatching eggs from a member of the Marans Club Germany, whose birds also come directly from France. Here is a photo of the beautiful chocolate-brown eggs.

There were 2 strains (1.4 and 1.5), the hens were partly from our own offspring and partly from 1A-ei.de and a club colleague. In addition, eggs were imported from France from which 3 cocks and 4 hens hatched. 2 cocks and 3 hens were used for breeding. Our aim is to have a show-quality hen that also lays very dark eggs! This year we were able to obtain many hatching eggs from different sources, which will help us to avoid inbreeding in the coming years!

This year I also joined the Marans Club Germany.